50 Easy Meal Prep Ideas for the Week Families will Love

Found it here >> Nourish Move Love

If you usually reserve sweet potato for lunch or dinner its time to put it to the test in a breakfast bowl! This savoury recipe is a great alternative to oatmeal and is gluten-free and grain-free as well as Paleo and Whole 30 friendly!

Easy Meal Prep Dinners

Once you’ve mastered meal prep breakfasts and lunches it’s time to try your hand at preparing your dinners ahead of time.

If you mix and match recipes that you can make up and store in containers in the fridge with meals that can be frozen until later in the week you’ll be able to pre-prepare a whole week’s worth of dinners on a Sunday.

Here’s 25 delicious meal prep dinners to get you started!

25. Cilantro Lime Shrimp Bowls

Found it here >> Fit Foodie Finds

24. Slow Cooker Shredded Mexican Beef Bowls

Found it here >> Running to the Kitchen

23. Paprika Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner

Found it here >> Sweet Peas and Saffron

22. Whole Wheat Pizza Dough

Found it here >> The Recipe Rebel

21. Healthy Homemade Frozen Chicken Strips

Found it here >> Sweet Peas and Saffron

20. Chili Garlic Tofu Bowls

Found it here >> Budget Bytes

19. Easy Crock Pot Sweet And Sour Hawaiian Beef {Paleo}

Found it here >> Cotter Crunch

18. Wild Rice and Butternut Squash Salad with Maple Balsamic Dressing

Found it here >> Heartbeet Kitchen

17. One Pan Healthy Italian Sausage & Veggies

Found it here >> Chelsea’s Messy Apron

16. One Pot Basque Chicken With Red Potato Noodles

Found it here >> Inspirilized

15. Asian Salmon Burgers

Found it here >> The Roasted Root

14. Meal-Prep Vegetarian Kung Pao Quinoa Bowls

Found it here >> Fit Foodie Finds

13. Raw Spiralized Beet & Mandarin Salad With Mint

Found it here >> Skinny Taste

12. Creamy Coconut Lentil Curry

Found it here >> The Endless Meal

11. One Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajitas

Found it here >> Number 2 Pencil

10. One-Pot Mediterranean Quinoa Chicken

Found it here >> To Live and Diet in L.A.

9. Sheet Pan Steak And Veggies

8. Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas with Homemade Gluten-Free Enchilada Sauce

Found it here >> Iowa Girl Eats

7. Curried Chickpea Bowls with Garlicky Spinach

Found it here >> Eating Bird Food

6. Cleaned Up Creamy Butter Chicken with Cauliflower Rice

Found it here >> That Clean Life

5. Chicken Chilaquiles

Found it here >> Healthy Seasonal Recipes

4. Greek Chicken Bowls (Meal Prep Easy)

Found it here >> Easy Peazy Mealz

3. Thai Chicken Quinoa Bowls With Peanut Sauce {Crockpot}

Found it here >> Food Faith Fitness

2. Healthy Vegetarian Fried Rice

Found it here >> Fit Foodie Finds

1. Lemon Roasted Salmon with Sweet Potatoes and Broccolini

Found it here >> Little Spice Jar

Healthy Meal Prep Desserts

Once you’ve got your meal prep dinner plan mastered it’s time to spread your wings and add another meal to your Sunday prepping session, and why not make it dessert? These meal prep desserts are easy to make, taste totally delicious and better yet they’re are also super healthy!

13. Healthy Salted Caramel Cups

Found it here >> Fit Foodie Finds

You’re shaking your head in disbelief at that aren’t you? Like how can salted caramel actually be healthy? Well it can. And you will NEVER guess what ingredient you use to make it, because it’s kinda crazy.

12. Chocolate Chip Gingerbread Chickpea Blondies With Maple Glaze

Found it here >> Hummusapian

If you bought a bulk lot of chickpeas and you’re trying to think what to use them for then try making a batch of these blondies because they’re perfect for lunch boxes.

11. Vegan Matcha Coconut Tarts

Found it here >> Lazy Cat Kitchen

Whether you’re gluten free, dairy free or you’re just trying to give up refined sugar this matcha dessert is for you. These tarts are indulgent while being just the right amount of sweet. And they’re healthy too!

10. Doughy Peach Pie Bars

Found it here >> Imma Eat That

If you love a meal prep plan that allows mixing and matching then these peach pie bars are for you because you can eat them for dessert, as a snack and even for breakfast!

9. No Bake Blueberry Custard Pie (vegan + gluten free)

Found it here >> Fantastic Food

While your oven is busy cooking dinner for the week ahead spend a little time putting this no bake blueberry pie together.

8. Banana Chocolate And Peanut Butter Swirl Bread With Pecan Praline

Found it here >> Healthy Nibbles and Bits

If you didn’t manage to get through all your bananas this week give this recipe a try instead of throwing those overripe bananas away. It tastes so good next week you’ll be buying too many bananas on purpose!

7. Dark Chocolate Almond Oatmeal Cookies with Sea Salt

Found it here >> Kara Lydon

Just because you’re meal prepping for a healthier lifestyle doesn’t mean you have to give up your 3pm cookie. Nope, you just need to make a healthy recipe like this one.

6. Guilt Free Brownies

Found it here >> Fit Foodie Finds

Not only are they guilt free, but they’re also no bake, and they only use three ingredients. Doesn’t get any better than that right?

5. Creamy Lime and Avocado Tart (Vegan + Gluten Free)

Found it here >> Eating Bird Food

If Key Lime Pie is your nemesis because you can quite happily consume a whole pie in one sitting then try adding these tarts to your meal prep rotation. Each one is individually sized and taste so good you’ll never believe they’re completely healthy!

4. Healthy No Bake Salted Caramel Slice

Found it here >> The Big Man’s World

Caramel slices are perfect for Meal Prep Sunday because, well you can slice them up to make individual portions. But there’s no way that caramel slices can be healthy right? Wrong. Oh and you will be so glad that you were because these no bake slices are high in fibre, gluten free, vegan friendly and have no refined sugar in them!

3. Fudgy Paleo Skillet Brownie

Found it here >> Running to the Kitchen

If you’ve given up on brownies because the gluten free variety are just never “fudgy” enough then it’s time to break out the skillet and put this recipe to the rest!

2. Brown Rice Crispy Treats (gluten-free + vegan)

Found it here >> Eating Bird Food

If your kids love marshmallow based rice crispy treats it’s time to try the healthier option. These delicious bars are made with brown rice and almond butter with dairy free chocolate chips for a little extra sweetness.

1. Flourless Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars with Chocolate Chips

Found it here >> Well Plated

These oatmeal bars are perfect for meal prepping because they are super easy to make and only use one bowl. They’re flour and butter free and they’ll keep in an air tight container at room temperature for up to a week.

Why should you meal prep?

If you’re wondering whether taking time out on your Sunday to prepare your meals in advance is worth the effort here are seven reasons why you should meal prep:

1. You’ll be less stressed

With our self care hats on we want to do as many things as we can to make life less stressful and preparing meals in advance is one of them.

Just think how much easier life will be when you come home from your busy day to not have to wonder what to make for dinner, or even spend time preparing it, because it’s right there in the fridge for you to heat and eat!

It takes the stress out of grocery shopping too, since you have already planned out your meals for the week you’ll know exactly what ingredients you need and what you need to pick up from the store.

2. You’ll save money

Speaking of grocery stores, when you meal prep you will know exactly what you need to buy so you won’t pick up random things that cost you money.

You’ll also save yourself on those multiple trips to the store each week where you always come out with more than you went in for.

3. You won’t waste food

The other side effect of going to the store with no idea what you need is that you buy too much food and end up wasting it.

This is bad for your budget and the environment.

When you meal prep you’ll no longer have this problem!

4. You’ll master the art of portion control

If you’ve been meaning to lose weight meal prep can help you with that too because meal prep containers can help you with portion control.

You’ll have a better idea of how many calories you’re consuming too because you know in advance exactly what you’ll eat each day for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks.

5. You’ll eat more healthy

Speaking of looking after your body, when you meal prep you’re inclined to eat more healthily too.

You can follow specific diets like keto or paleo while you meal prep, but even if you don’t because you’re making food from scratch rather than eating processed food or take out you’ll eat more whole foods.

Not only is this good for you waistline it’s good for your health too.

6. You’ll save time

Sure you have to invest a few hours on a Sunday afternoon (or whatever day you choose) getting your meals prepped for the week but it saves you time overall.

This is because you make your food in batches, so rather than making chicken every day, or chopping veggies you just do it once.

Oh and it saves on doing the dishes too, which is always a bonus right?

7. You’ll discover new recipes

If you feel like you’re stuck in a rut and eating the same thing week in week out because it doesn’t require any thought then meal prep is just what you need to introduce some variety into your meals.

You’ll find yourself looking up new recipes to try, and mixing and matching from the different food categories to come up with new combinations!

How do you meal prep and not get bored?

Want to know more about how to meal prep and not get bored?

1. Try a new recipe every week

Seriously there are hundreds of meal prep ideas out there so challenge yourself to try a new recipe each week.

You can check out the collections we shared at the top of this page for starters, or follow our Meal Prep board on Pinterest.

2. Eat a variety of fruit and veggies

You will of course have some staple meals that you want to eat each week and that’s fine. You can switch things up a little by trying different fruit or veggie combinations.

3. Switch up your proteins

Same goes for your proteins, if you find yourself leaning towards chicken recipes why not try some fish ideas instead?

Or how about getting your protein from eggs, tofu or quinoa?

4. Experiment with sauces

Sauces are your friend when it comes to adding variety to your meal prep, and it’s easier to whip up a homemade (healthier than the store bought alternative) sauce than you might think!

5. Use your freezer

Using your freezer as part of your meal prep routine will help to avoid the need to eat the same thing every single day of the week.

You can cook in batches and store half in the freezer for a later week.

6. Treat yourself to meal prep containers

It is possible to meal prep using regular food storage containers but you will need to make sure you have enough to store all of your separate meals.

And also let’s be honest they’re not the most exciting things in the world so if you’re worried about getting bored treat yourself to some meal prep containers instead.

Meal prep containers are specifically designed for meal prepping and come with compartments to keep different food ty[es separate so you don’t have to worry about things getting soggy.

They’re not overly expensive either, a set of 21 stackable BPA free plastic containers can cost under 20 bucks.

Glass meal prep containers are also an option if you’re willing to pay a bit more.

Just make sure you think about the different kinds of meals you want to prep before you rush out and buy a big stack of containers.

The ones with compartments are perfect for separating your proteins from your fruit and veggies, but if you want to prep soup you’d be better off with a bowl with a lid or even a thermos flask.

Best Glass Meal Prep Containers

Whether you’re a plastic lover or hater it’s always a good idea to have some glass containers as part of your meal prep system.

They don’t stain or hold onto strong smells like plastic containers do so they’re good for storing foods in the fridge or freezer during the week.

They’re also oven safe (where plastic containers are not) so there’s less washing up when you’re reheating dinner since you don’t need to transfer meals from plastic container to a baking dish to reheat.

Here’s our pick of the best glass meal prep containers to get you started.

Mason Jars

16oz Mason JarsCLICK FOR BEST PRICE

Mason jar containers are great for meal prep lunches because you can fill them with salads or even turn them into Buddha jars.

You can also use them at breakfast time for making overnight oats or freeze-ahead smoothies.

And they’re perfect for freezing soups, keeping fruits and veggies fresh and filling with healthy desserts.

Seriously if you only want one type of glass meal prep containers then get mason jars because they’re great for portion control and are about as versatile as you can get!

A 16oz jar (pint) is a great portion size unless you are using them for salads and you LOVE lettuce in which case go for the 32oz size (quart) to leave plenty of room for those leafy greens!

Make sure you choose the wide mouth version because it makes it easier to eat directly from the jar with a spoon.

Oh and here’s a tip if you want to use your Mason jars for freezing, if you look closely there is actually a line near the top of the jar marked “For Freezing” which leaves enough room in the jar for the food to expand as it freezes. Clever right?

Pyrex Simply Store Containers

Pyrex 3-cup Rectangle Glass Food Storage Set Container (Pack of 6 Containers)CLICK FOR BEST PRICE

When you think glass storage containers you probably think Pyrex and this set of rectangular containers with lids is a great way to keep food fresh in the fridge all week.

If you are starting from scratch with your glass container collection then make sure you buy multiple containers that are the same shape and size so that they stack neatly in the fridge. The neater things stack the better use you will make of the space.

This set stacks really nicely and of course being made of glass they can safely be used in the fridge, freezer, dishwasher, oven and microwave (just remove the lid first as that is plastic).

One thing to take note of with these Pyrex containers is that while the lids fit snugly enough they are not completely leak proof so they’re not your best choice for carrying away from home (like the snapware boxes that are coming up next!)

Snapware Leakproof Pyrex Glass Food Keeper Set

Snapware Airtight & Leakproof Pyrex Glass Food Keeper Set (19-Piece Set)CLICK FOR BEST PRICE

Unlike the previous set these Pyrex containers have lids that fasten with a clip and they are advertised as being 100% airtight and leakproof making them suitable for use on the go.

This popular set includes eight containers with lids, one steamer tray and two produce keeper trays. Storing your fruits and veggies in the produce trays should help them last longer and the steamer tray is useful for separating items in the containers.

It’s so important to label your containers when you’re food prepping, especially if you’re filling your freezer, and these lids are specifically designed with an are that can be written on with a wet erase marker.

Glass Meal Prep food Storage Containers with Dividers

Glass Meal Prep Food Storage ContainersCLICK FOR BEST PRICE

If you really hate the thought of plastic containers for lunches on the go but you really still want your three compartment Bento style lunch box these are the lunch boxes for you.

They’re made from glass, and have two fixed dividers inside, making up the three compartments. There’s even a clever storage area in the lid for your knife and fork!

Each container holds 32oz so they’re great for portion control.

They’re safe for use in the fridge, freezer, microwave (without the lid) dishwasher and oven.

Best Plastic Meal Prep Containers (BPA Free)

If you need to add some more containers to your collection so that you can maximise your meal prepping efficiency you’re probably wondering which are the best plastic meal prep containers (BPA free) to buy.

Which is why we pulled together this list of our favourite storage boxes and lunch boxes for meals on the go.

Portion Control Containers

Portion Control Containers

If you’ve heard of the 21 Day Fix programme from Beachbody then you might already know about these smart containers.

If the reason behind your meal prepping is to lose weight then it’s super important that you get your portion sizes just right and these containers are the easiest way to do it.

Just fill each pot with the right food group and you’ll have the exact portion that you need of each one.

They’re not used for storage, just for measuring. Think of them as smart measuring cups!

Glad Matchware Containers

Glad Matchware

It’s useful to have different sized storage containers which is why this set is so popular. It comes with four round containers, four square and four rectangular.

You also get four bonus dressing posts which cleverly snap into the lid so you don’t need to apply your sauce or dressing until you are ready to eat.

The lids fit tightly so you don’t have to worry about leaks, and they can safely go in the fridge, freezer, microwave and the dishwasher.

Rubbermaid Easy Find Lids Food Storage Containers

Rubbermaid Easy Find Lids Food Storage Container, 42-Piece Set

One of the downsides of using plastic boxes is they can be a nightmare to store, but not with this easy find lid system from Rubbermaid. All the lids lock together and then attach to the bottom of a stack of boxes. Genius! One lid will fit multiple bases too so it’s easier to match them together.

We love that the 42 piece set has a wide range of sizes for storing different food types.

The lids all fit snugly so you don’t have to worry about leaks, you can even use them for soup. To open and close them make use of the tab on the corner of each lid to save your fingertips.

They are freezer, microwave and dishwasher safe.

Fitpacker Meal Prep Containers

Fitpacker Meal Prep Containers

If you would prefer all your containers to be the exact same shape and size then these portion control boxes from Fitpacker are a great option.

The black plastic containers were designed specifically for meal preppers so they are freezer safe, microwave safe (without the lid) and can stack neatly in the top of the dishwasher for bulk cleaning.

And of course they stack neatly in the fridge too which is important if you are prepping a whole week of meals.

Freshware 3 Compartment Meal Prep Containers

Freshware 15-Pack 3 Compartment Bento Lunch Boxes with Lids

If you would prefer 3 compartment meal prep containers so that you can keep your food items separate then this 15 pack set from Freshware.

The bento style box is made from black BPA free plastic and has three compartments (one large and two small) making it a great bento style lunch box for grownups and kids too.

OXO Tot Baby Blocks Freezer Storage Containers

OXO Tot Baby Blocks Freezer Storage Containers

Ignore the baby food reference because these stackable 2oz containers are a perfect addition to your meal prepping storage.

They’re great for freezing sauces, herbs or stock. You can also use them for carrying peanut butter to go with your banana or apple slices at snack time.

Freezer Labels

White and Red 1 x 2 Inch Freezer Labels

While you’re stocking on on plastic containers don’t forget to add some freezer labels to your basket.

You need to know exactly what’s what in your freezer and also in your fridge too so make sure you take the time to label everything!

Rubbermaid Produce Saver

Rubbermaid FreshWorks Produce Saver Food Storage Container

You’re going to be storing lots of veggies as part of your meal prep routine so it’s worth investing in a couple of these product savers.

The small box is perfect for berries, the medium one for strawberries and the large one for your leafy greens.

Each box has a layer at the bottom which keeps the moisture away from your fruits and veggies so they last longer, and there’s a vent in the top too to allow the air to circulate.

Rubbermaid say that produce stays fresh for 80% longer than if you left it in the store packaging.

EasyLunchboxes 3 Compartment Meal Prep Containers

EasyLunchboxes 3-Compartment Bento Lunch Box Containers

If you don’t want to carry your lunch in a black plastic container but you do still want 3 compartments then check out these Bento style boxes.

They come in a set of four and each one has a different coloured lid. If you assign a colour to each family member they’ll be able to find their lunch in the fridge super easy!

These lunch boxes have been designed with kids in mind so the lids fit snugly but can be removed easily. That means they’re great for solid food but don’t try and carry soup or other liquids in them or you’ll end up with a puddle at the bottom of your bag!

They fit nice and snugly inside the EasyLunchboxes cooler bag.

Rubbermaid LunchBox Sandwich Kit

Rubbermaid LunchBox Sandwich Kit

This modular kit from Rubbermaid is another great option, especially if you like to carry a lot of individual snacks with you for a long day.

It’s made up of one large container, four small cube containers and an ice pack. Everything snaps together so you don’t need to worry about losing bits in your bag, and the ice pack keeps every thing cool.

All of the containers are BPA free, microwave, freezer and dishwasher safe.

Bentgo All-in-One Stackable Bento Box

Bentgo All-in-One Stackable Lunch/Bento Box, Purple

We also like this bento box from Bentgo which stacks together and is held in place by a handy strap.

The containers nestle inside each other for easy storage and it comes with a plastic knife, fork and spoon.

The one thing we don’t like about this is the central divider can’t go in the microwave or the dishwasher, which means you have to remember to remove it.

More Meal Prep Ideas

28 Easy Keto Meal Prep Ideas for the Week Even a Beginner Can Handle
Slow Cooker Meal Prep Chicken Ideas that’ll Take You Around the World
10 Instant Pot Meal Prep Chicken Recipes You Can Make on Sunday
Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner Recipes {to meal prep this week!}
20 Healthy Meal Prep Lunch Ideas for the Week Ahead